Thai junta lifts post-coup curfew

Thailand's junta is lifting a night-time curfew across the country, three weeks after seizing power in a military coup.

The midnight-4am curfew, imposed following the military takeover, had already been lifted in some provinces and major beach resorts.

The junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has curtailed civil liberties by banning public protests, arresting demonstrators, censoring media and temporarily detaining hundreds of critics for questioning.

But the generals have also embarked on an extensive public relations campaign emphasising the need to "return happiness" to the people.

On Thursday authorities announced that Thais would be able to watch the whole of the football World Cup on television at home for free, thanks to an intervention by the junta.

The lifting of the curfew will also allow Thais to watch the tournament in bars and restaurants without fear of arrest.

"As the overall situation in many places has eased and there is no sign of violence, to reduce the impact on people's livelihoods and to promote tourism the NCPO orders the lifting of the curfew in every area immediately," a televised announcement said.